Posted on 11/12/2011 10:43:37 AM PST by Saundra Duffy
Some public figures have labeled the Mormon church as a cult. Most recently, ABC News reported that Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress applied such a label in an interview following a political gathering where Jeffress introduced a political rival to Mormon candidate Mitt Romney.
Use of such a term to describe Mormonism is highly offensive to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Cult carries the connotation of dangerous, even violent groups whose beliefs are irrational and whose practices are immoral and lawless (Koresh and the Branch Davidians, Heavens Gate, Aum Shinrikyo, and The Peoples Temple are all prominent examples) . The term cannot be applied to Mormons unless it is so broadly defined that its use could be applied to virtually any religious body.
Like racist language, the use of the word cult to describe a religion usually tells us very little about the religion, but a great deal about the person using the word. In short, it tells us only that the person using the label cult doesnt like the religion in question, or thinks it is illegitimate. Bryan Wilson, a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and a noted sociologist of minority religions noted:
(Excerpt) Read more at mdl.org ...
Join FR's cult, Send your money to FR, Agree with FR, or get mocked and ridiculed so you stay in line, Disagree too strongly and get excommunicated/banned.
Just sayin'.
Not just public figures.
Bye.
IBTZ?
Nahhh, speaking as a former cult member, FR is nothing like a cult...
It’s polite to ping someone when you call them a cult leader.
People around these parts have been playing fast and loose with this term and I thought it was high time to speak up about it.
Bye, bye!
Pretty bold for such a n00b...
FR doesn’t worship a false God.
“FR is nothing like a cult...”
You make my point. I say that the LDS Church is nothing like a cult but just saying that gets me on the hot seat. One cannot even have an opinion around here unless it conforms and their are consequences for not towing the line. There’s money involved and intimidation tactics. One could make the case.
Has own version of the Bible.
Has earthly leaders who make the rules.
Has various levels. Those on lower levels are not given access to the same information as those on higher levels.
Has documentation supplemental to the Bible. You win.
I think Sandra has more than earned the right to make a tongue-in-cheek remark like that, did you check out her FR bio? —>
“(a)FReeped the peace-niks in 109 degree heat in Fresno, 7/12/02, along with other brave patriots. We should all get awards for the hottest freep! Some say it was hotter than 109 because we were standing near the blacktop at the corner of Blackstone & Shaw. Three of us FReeper ladies almost suffered heat stroke but we FReeped on. If anyone FReeped in above 109 degrees for at least two hours, please let me know. Otherwise, WE HOLD THE RECORD! (b) Stand with Israel rally at Woodward Park in Fresno, June 8, 2002; the terrorist sympathizers showed up; they didn’t like our Israeli flag much. (c) Also FReeped the peace freaks in Sacramento at 16th & J on June 11, 2002. The police showed up and ordered me to cease and desist with the bullhorn. I was so pissed, I didn’t even need the bullhorn!”
No, a cult is a group that denies the deity of Christ Jesus. Mormonism is a cult because it proclaims that Jesus is not God, but a god, a son of God, they make Him to be, not God, but an arch angle, a brother of Gabriel, Michael, and Lucifer the devil.
Mormons are not Born Again Christians and therefore are damned.
Bye? I have been FReepin’ since 1998 and have a long history of activism. See what I mean? You are ready to pull the plug just because you disagree with me.
May I ask why are you here? If you feel Free Republic is a cult... why are you posting on a “Cult site?”
Popcorn and soda pop time! This aught to be a dilly!
How did we get to the Catholic Church?
She can make whatever remark she wants. So can I. But I don't drag my personal problems out and post them on Front Page News.
P.S. How you you "earn rights" around here? Do you just have to be old or is there some IQ test? There are lots of FReepers who meet the former but not the latter.
stuff like this, and worse, is going to be mainstream should romney be our nominee. I think the militant homos are salivating at the chance for revenge against the LDS over the prop 8 victory in CA
Yep!
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